I have a confession. When I was a young mother, I didn’t have the patience to have my children help me in the kitchen. I liked to get things done quickly, neatly, and with the expected outcome. I didn’t know I was making a mistake by not letting them help, thus learn about cooking and responsibility. The good part, they are both over 40 now and the main cooks in their households. I’m proud of them for learning despite my actions.
Children like to feel like they are contributing. I found with my grandson that if I asked for his help, instead of giving instructions and making demands, we had a good time. At age one he was allowed to get all the pans out; he would crash bang the lids, spread an obstacle course around the kitchen, then put them all in a circle with himself in the center. It kept him occupied for a long time. He then graduated to wanting to help wash the dishes, then to cracking eggs for me while baking. (One ended up on the floor and not in the bowl. My daughter looked at me, shook her head and left the room. I didn’t yell at him, just cleaned it up. The rules change when you get older and it’s a grandchild. I’m pretty sure she didn’t think it was fair.)
I remember some friends of ours who have three boys; they had to make the peanut butter and jelly sandwich different for each one. How? One wanted the jelly on the bottom, another had to have the jelly on top, and the third wanted his “fo-ded” (folded) not cut! Mom was smart enough to make them all the same, and just place them on the plate the correct way. One day Dad was on duty and he had to call Mom to find out the rules. We are still laughing about it.
Let your kids take over the kitchen to celebrate this day. If they are little, let them play with the bowls and spoons; if a little bigger, share the cooking but let them do the planning; the meal doesn’t have to fancy, a bologna sandwich will do; you get the idea; the only rule, they are not allowed to call for take-out. Help them learn that serving (giving) is a wonderful trait that will take them farther in this world than any other.
09/13/2016 at 04:24
…especially on the parent(s)’ off day or when parent is ill.
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09/13/2016 at 07:00
Excellent suggestion. Thanks.
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09/13/2016 at 13:40
i let my step children cook. we were at a function at our local Rod and Gun Club and i got a call from my stepson’
i didn’t have any bitter sweet chocolate sqs and my step son wanted to know if there was a substitute. the woman that answered the call had heard that type of call before and asked “what are the boys making tonite and shook his head”
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09/13/2016 at 14:48
Thanks for sharing your memory with everyone.
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09/13/2016 at 21:30
My sister sent me some photos of the dishes my 10-year old niece cooked last night. I thought it was a splendid idea!
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09/14/2016 at 10:34
Thanks for letting me know.
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11/10/2016 at 07:44
Brilliant persdonal post. Wrote a small post on cooking with children on my blog (under food articles), but I must say I’m a huge advocate for this. It’s a great activity and educational too. Cheers
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11/10/2016 at 15:51
Thanks Ticker. Seems you read older post like I do! Too many good blogs to keep up with. Cheers back-at-ya.
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11/10/2016 at 20:50
Oh yeah, and especially when I write about something I like to then go and see what others have written about the same topic. Always fun. Cheers. Raghav
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